Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

A home may charge a fee for holding patient monies that does not exceed which of the following?

1. The patient's total deposit

2. The actual cost of providing the service

3. The interest accrued on all accounts

4. The average fee charged by similar facilities

The correct answer is: The actual cost of providing the service

The correct choice emphasizes that a home can charge a fee for holding patient monies that reflects the actual cost of providing the service. This principle is grounded in fairness and transparency; it ensures that patients do not overpay for the management of their funds. Charging based on actual costs prevents facilities from inflating fees and establishes a standard that aligns with regulatory guidelines, which are designed to protect patients and promote ethical financial practices. In contrast, options like the patient's total deposit or the interest accrued could lead to excessive fees, as they do not directly correlate to the expenses incurred by the facility. Additionally, basing the fee on the average fee charged by similar facilities could introduce inconsistencies and potential unfairness, as costs can vary widely between different homes due to their operational efficiencies or service offerings. Therefore, option B is more aligned with best practices in the management of patient funds.